Rear Additions and Renovations to Villa in Mile End

This classic return verandah villa is full of surprises. The extension incorporates an open plan kitchen/living/dining room as well as a study and laundry/bathroom – all perfectly proportioned and fitted out to enhance the home’s period features and promote modern living. From the harmony of polished concrete and timber floors to the masses of storage, this home is where old meets new.

We kept a video diary throughout this project so you can visualise the huge potential of your own home – and precisely how we can maximise it. Even if your home feels tired and out of date, you’ll be amazed at how great design, quality building and a clear vision can let you enjoy your dream home. Follow the story from the beginning or read on to see what’s happening now.

Things are getting really exciting at this Mile End villa! Want to see what’s about to happen out the back? Our next video takes you on a journey through the various tacked on sections of the villa that will be demolished, right back to the original back wall. Take a look…

But first things first – this villa transformation wouldn’t be complete without a stunning master suite for the owners to retreat to.

We converted two bedrooms into a fabulous master suite. First, we made a new doorway by cutting a hole in the wall of the front bedroom. Then we divided the other bedroom, located directly behind, with one half becoming the en suite and the other half becoming a spacious dressing room. Both rooms are fitted out in a fresh, contemporary style that sits in perfect harmony with the rest of the home. Check out the tiles in the bathroom – they look just like floorboards!

Another bonus in converting lovely big bedrooms like this is the larger-than-life walk-in robe. Generous hanging space, heaps of shelving and plenty of drawers – what more could you ask for?

Of course, sometimes you need to make sacrifices for the things you really want – which is why we needed to demolish a brick chimney to make room for the new vanity unit. So out it came, and the bedroom was squared off. Watch this video to see how we did it.

Meanwhile, out the back, the additions were progressing rapidly. It’s rare with these kinds of projects that we have any big surprises, but this project was the exception to the rule. Luckily it was a good surprise – in the addition area, we found an old cellar under the kitchen. By preserving this highly desirable feature and building the new extension around it, the home becomes a remarkable union of old and new.

The bright and spacious kitchen is an entertainer’s dream with sleek finishes and huge work surfaces. Tucked out of sight around the corner is an enormous walk in pantry, featuring plenty of storage space to keep the kitchen clean and clutter-free.

Pause for a moment and remind yourself what the original kitchen looked like. The transformation is breathtaking!

New polished concrete floors were poured in the vast open living space out the back, as well as in the study, hallways and al fresco area. Far from being cold and colourless, warm autumn hues beautifully complement the original Baltic flooring in the kitchen.

Ever wondered about polished concrete? Learn all about it as the slab’s being ground here in this video.

The best way to envisage the layout of the new living areas is to see for yourself. Take a moment to walk through the space with Kym in our next video and he’ll show you where everything will go.

Today’s modern villas aren’t complete without a fully equipped laundry, and this one will stop you in your tracks. It’s beautifully fitted out with 2-pac cupboards and stone surfaces, so that the owners actually want to spend time in there. We’ve also designed a third shower and additional toilet – perfectly placed for the outdoor swimming pool.

The open plan living area overlooks the generous al fresco space. And when we say generous, we mean an additional 56 square metres of entertaining space. Just imagine the dinner parties in summertime! The al fresco room features a plasterboard ceiling with LED down lights and ceiling fans that combine with the living area to create an all-weather living space.

The outdoor space works as a natural extension to the open plan living area thanks to seamless use of lovely polished concrete floors and wall-to-wall sliding doors. Spanning the entire length of the rear wall, the sliding doors allow maximum northern daylight to flood into the living area creating a bright, welcoming space. The best part is, when the doors are open, there is almost 100 square metres of entertaining space to be enjoyed.

Ready to see the result? Our final video takes you on a step-by-step tour of the home, inside and out, so you can see for yourself how every element works as part of the whole. From the master suite to the al fresco, this home is full of inspiration for your own renovation or home extension project. What are you waiting for? Be inspired!

Before we go, here’s a quick reminder of how this home looked at the very beginning. The transformation is truly remarkable to see. But it’s about more than looks; the clever additions and renovations add tremendous value to the heritage villa as well as enhancing the owners’ lifestyle. And that’s something you can’t put a price on.

We hope you’ve loved exploring this beautiful home extension and renovation as much as we enjoyed building it. If you’ve enjoyed watching this home reach its potential, why not sign-up for our newsletter for more stories, tips and news? And keep an eye on the blog – it’s where we put all the cool stuff.

Dreaming about what your own home could become? Give us a call on 0409 829 871 or complete an online enquiry form and let’s chat. If we’re the right fit for your project, our team can get started as soon as you’re ready. It really is that quick and easy!